Karat visited Insha at a hospital here where she has been admitted since July 24.

“She was blinded by pellets fired straight at her by armed security forces, deliberately aiming at her forehead, when she was looking down from the window of her two storey house in Sadow, Shopian,” she said.

“Her case is symbolic of the barbarous atrocities committed on Kashmiri youth by armed security forces,” said the Communist Party of India-Marxist leader.

Karat said Insha has had to undergo two surgeries for serious injuries to her forehead and eyes.

“But till now there is no recovery of her sight. The doctors (said) that the damage to both eyes is extensive and she is unlikely to recover her

eyesight.

“However the Director of the Institute assured that they would send her reports to international experts for further consultation.”

Karat said the girl’s father, Mushtaq, was a truck driver who himself was injured in a recent accident. “He demanded justice for his daughter and punishment for those guilty.”

Karat said “it is a national shame that not a single security personnel has been identified and punished for the cruelty of the excessive force used against young people.

“There is no accountability for the use of excessive force. She demanded that those responsible be punished and an end put to the use of weapons which blind and maim as in the case of this innocent young girl, Insha.”